Adaptive design of a zeolite - water solar refrigerator

A successful refrigeration system would need to be inexpensive enough for small farmers to afford, and of simple construction. It should be dependable, require little maintenance, and should use an energy source which is readily available. An absorption system powered by the sun was developed and fills this need. Several prototypes for a solar-powered refrigerator were built, utilizing natural occurring zeolites and water. Zeolite properties pertaining to the refrigeration process were also studied. Aluminum irrigation pipe was used to make an absorption refrigeration system based on the ability of zeolites to absorb large amounts of water. A design was developed which minimizes construction difficulties and costs. The final design combines the three functions of an absorption refrigerator - generator (collector), condenser, and evaporator - into one length of straight or bent pipe. Up to 760 BTU"s of cooling were supplied by each 20-foot length of pipe per day with a daily insolation of 2300 BTU. Temperatures were maintained between 63 and 45 F in the refrigerated box when ambient temperatures reached over 100 F. (Author abstract)